Gastric Bypass

The Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass) was first performed in 1966. Since then, we have made several improvements to the operation. Most notably, we now perform Gastric Bypass laparoscopically. This operative tool helps you to lose weight in two different ways.

The Gastric Bypass involves remodeling the stomach into a small pouch. Once the size of a small football, the stomach will become the approximate size of a medicine cup (1 oz.). No stomach or intestine is removed from your body. The remaining stomach is left in its normal position with its normal blood and nerve supply, and will function as it did before surgery. The only difference will be that the stomach enzymes will not meet with food until farther down the intestinal tract. The new, smaller, stomach pouch will restrict how much you are able to eat at each meal. Early satiety (feeling of fullness) and better portion control will not only lessen calorie intake, it will help teach your body and mind better eating habits.

The Gastric Bypass also induces weight loss by malabsorption. The “Y” of Roux-en-Y actually represents how the small intestine is reconstructed. The digestive enzymes travel down one side, the food down the other, and they meet at the stem of the “Y.” Absorption of nutrients begins in the mid-portion of your small intestine. When the food “bypasses” much of the stomach and a length of small intestine, fewer calories are absorbed.

Remarkably, for many patients, the Gastric Bypass results in immediate improvement, and often remission, of Diabetes. Independent of weight loss, the Gastric Bypass leads to an alteration of gut hormones and neural signals that create this incredible response. In fact, many patients will discontinue their Diabetic medications at the time of hospital discharge, and never need to resume them.